Bag vending machine having feeler controlled lock

ABSTRACT

A vending machine adapted to dispense bags having bail handles. The bags are stored by placing the bails over a vertically extending shaft, and by providing a metering device at the top of the shaft whereby only one bag can be dispensed at a time. The metering device is coin controlled, and a mechanism is provided for varying the price at which the bags will be vended. A totalizer is provided whereby coins of varying denominations can be deposited until the predetermined price set for each bag has been reached.

0 United States Patent 1191 1111 3,709,347

Verbeke 1 Jan. 9, 1973 s4 BAG VENDING MACHINE HAVING 3,176,817 4/1965Pell'allfl m1. ..221/312 A FEELER CONTROLLED LOCK Prima Examiner-Stanlei-LTollber 7511111 bkCht,N.. Y 8 1 men or any e es er J Attorney-CaesanRivise, Bernstein & Cohen [7 3] Assignee: APL Corporation, Great Neck,N.Y. 22 Filed: April 1, 1971 [571 ABSTRACT [211 App[ NOJ 130,117 Avending machine adapted to dispense bags having bail handles. The bagsare stored by placing the ba1ls over a vertically extending shaft, andby providing a iLf-il ..194/94(,;(2)3l/52/:2 metering device at the topof the shaft whereby only I}. one g can b dispensed at a time. Themetering [58] held of Search 3 3; device is coin controlled, and amechanism is provided 9 I 9 9 63 for var in the rice at which the ba 5will be vended.

A g p d d h b g f tota izer is provi e w ere y coins 0 varying [56]References Cited denominations can be deposited until the predeter-UNITED STATES PATENTS mined price set for each bag has been reached.

3,053,370 9/1962 Schuller ..194/94 17 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures I I 1-46 I a 205 1/76 226 l i 1 95 250 i 84* l 5 32) ,2/52 98 I 244 1 1 24613/2 o :242 7 264 I 261 2 8\ 1290 l/O -/54 76 -.J .-J272- 80 266 o: 76,266 I- 1: ,I /74 1 /64 1@1--/70 a2 z-L-Jz: :r:

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sum 1 BF 5 INVENTOR HENRY VERBEKE ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJAN 9 ma SHEET 3 BF5 4 462 4 5 6 a 2 04 5444 2 4 M 4 4% 1 1. r a fdi. M N 8 0 4.0 8 /6 E 446% M w I a 4 I W u a o NW HUJ U W A L 4 PATENTEDJAH 9 ma 3.709.347

saw u or s INVENTOR HENRY VERBEKE I I 3W 5 40m ATTORNEYS PATENTEBJAH 9I915 3.709.347

SHEET 5 {IF 5 INVENTOR HENRY VE'RBEKE' 9V W, B v 60704 A TTORNEYS BAGVENDING MACHINE HAVING FEELER CONTROLLED LOCK This invention relates toa bag vending machine, and more particularly, to a bag vending machinehaving a variable price setting, whereby the machine can be used to vendbags at any predetermined price.

It is now a common practice for large stores, such as department stores,to vend shopping bags having the name of the store thereon through theuse of coin operated vending machines. Each of the machines currently inuse will permit the removal of a single bag from a stack of the bagsafter a coin of a predetermined denomination has been inserted into thevending machine.

An example of a bag vending machinewhich is coin operated is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 3,1 19,484. In the device disclosed in that patent, thelocking mechanism which permits the removal of a single bag after a coinhas been inserted is controlled mechanically by the coin. Thus, the coinphysically controls an escapement mechanism whereby a single bag can beremoved from the device each time a coin is inserted. The devicedisclosed in this patent is operational only at one predetermined price,and a coin of a denomination equal to that price must be inserted inorder to actuate the device.

A modification of the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,1 19,484 canbe found in Us Pat. No. 3,379,296. The device disclosed in the latterpatent is also operated through the insertion of a single coin at apredetermined denomination. The modification in this patent resides inthe provision of an electro-mechanical linkage for the dispensing of abag. Thus, after the coin of the predetermined denomination has beeninserted into the coin slot, the plunger of a solenoid is removed from acam gate, thereby permitting the pivoting of the gate to release one bagfrom a stack of bags held in the device. After the bag has been removed,the cam gate returns to its original position, and the plunger isautomatically returned to a position wherein the cam gate cannot berepivoted to permit vending until another coin has been inserted.

The device of this invention provides a number of distinct improvementsover the devices disclosed in the aforementioned patents. The mostsignificant of the improvements is the fact that the device of thisinvention can be used to vend bags at any predetermined amount. By wayof example, the device can be used for vending a bag ranging in valuefrom $0.05 to $1.50, and $1.05 increments. Thus, the device can be usedto vend bags which are valued at $0.25 at one setting of the device. Ifit is desired to later vend bags at $0.50, the device is easily adjustedfor vending at this price.

Another advantage of the device of this invention is the fact that itcan accept coins of any denomination in order to arrive at the presetprice. For instance, if bags are to be vended at $0.35, this sum can bereached by depositing either nickels, dimes or a quarter, and anycombination of these coins until the $0.35 is reached.

Another feature of the device of this invention is that it is purelymechanical in operation, and there are no electrical parts necessary forthe operation. When utilizing the device disclosed in aforesaid U.S.Pat. No. 3,379,296, it is necessary to locate the dispensing device neara source of electrical current. By having this limitation on the device,there are many places where the device cannot be conveniently located,such as in the lobby of a department store. Since the device of thisinvention is purely mechanical in operation, it can readily be movedfrom one position to another without the necessary of locating it at asource of electrical current.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a'novel bagvending machine.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel bag vendingmachine with an adjustable price setting.

These and other objects of this invention are accomplished by providinga bag vending machine comprising a frame, means on said frame forsupporting a plurality of bags, metering means for permitting thedispensing of individual bags, coin controlled lock means forcontrolling said metering means, and adjustable price means associatedwith said lock means, whereby the amount of money required to permit thedispensing of an individual bag can be adjusted.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this inventionwill be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood byreference to the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bag vending machine of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the positionof the elements of the machine as a bag is being dispensed;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view showing the position of the meteringplate midway through the dispensing of a bag;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the elements of a safetylock-out mechanism of the device of this invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the price adjustment mechanismof the vending machine of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a further exploded view of the elements of the priceadjustment mechanism; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 9--9 of FIG.7.

Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawingswherein like reference characters refer to like parts, a bag vendingmachine embodying the present invention is generally shown at 20 in FIG.1.

Device 20 basically comprises a frame 22, abag metering housing 24 and ashaft 26 which projects vertically upward on the frame 22.

Frame 22 comprises a base 28 having leveling discs 30 at each of thecorners thereof. A U-shaped beam 32 projects vertically upward from base28, and includes a pair of outwardly extending flanges 34. A pair of L-shaped braces 36 is connected to flanges 34 and base 28 by suitablefasteners, such as nuts and bolts.

Shaft 26 is secured in the top surface of base 28 by a suitable collar38, and projects vertically upward from the base. The shaft includes anangled portion 40 adjacent its top, and terminates in a horizontalportion 42 at the top. A longitudinally extending slot 44 is formed inthe top surface of portion 42 and in the upper portion of portion 40 ofshaft 26.

As seen in FIG. 1, bag metering housing 24 includes a front wall 46, atop wall 48, a pair of side walls 50, and a bottom wall 52 (FIGS. 2 to Aflange 54 projects inwardly from the rear end of each side wall 50(FIGS. 1 and 3). A coin return rod 56 projects through top wall 48adjacent a coin slot 58. A lock 60 is secured on top wall 48, which lockis used for securing the bag metering housing 24 in place.

As seen in FIG. 1, a coin return slot 62 is formed in the front wall 46of housing 24. A coin box door 64 is pivotally mounted on side wall 50.This door can be locked in the closed position shown in FIG. 1 by lock66.

The housing 24 is mounted on flanges 34, which have upper portions ofreduced width to accommodate the housing. The mounting is accomplishedby sliding the flanges 54 of side walls 50 behind the upper portions offlanges 34 (FIGS. 1 and 3). The housing rests on a pair of L-shapedbraces 68 which is secured to the front faces of flanges 34 adjacent theouter edges thereof. The housing 24 is secured in place by rotating afinger 70 mounted on lock 60 into a slot 72 formed in one of the flanges34 (FIG. 3).

As seen in FIG. 3, one of the parallel walls of U- shaped beam 32 has abracket 74 mounted on the inside face thereof. A bar 76 is slidablymounted within bracket 74, and can be moved from the position shown infull line in FIG. 3 to the position shown in phantom at 76 in FIG. 3. Apin 78 is secured to bar 76 and is received in slot 80 of bracket 74.The pin projects outwardly of the slot and is used for sliding the bar76 forward and back.

A pair of bars 82 (FIG. 5) extends vertically within housing 24 and iswelded to top wall 48 and bottom wall 52. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3,thebars 82 are positioned adjacent the back side of housing 24. The barsare laterally spaced, and are also positioned within the area of theflanges 34. Accordingly, when the housing 24 is mounted on the flanges34, the flanges 34 cover the bars 82, making them inaccessible. A backplate 84 is secured on bars 82 by screws 86. Because the bars 82 arewithin the area backed by flanges 34, the back plate 84 cannot beremoved from housing 24 unless the housing has been removed from theflanges after lock 60 has been opened. Back plate 84 also includes astud 88 (FIGS. 2 and 3) projecting therefrom.

Top plate 48 includes a pair of downwardly projecting lips 90 at thecorners thereof (FIGS. 2 and 3). Lips 90 act in conjunction with flanges54 and flanges 34 in order to maintain the housing 24 against anyrotational movement when it is secured in place. Thus, any attempt torotate the housing will be prevented by the abuttment of lips 90 orflanges 54 against flanges 34. I

A coin control housing 92 is mounted within bag metering housing 24. Thecoin control housing has secured therein a coin separator and slugrejector, which is shown schematically at 94 in FIG. 6 and a totalizeror accumulator which is partially shown at 96 in FIGS. 2 and 3. Housing92 includes an opening 98 in one wall thereof through which a portion ofthe totalizer 96 is visible. i I v The coin separator and slug rejector94 separates coins of value according to their denominations, andrejects coins of improper denominations, such as pennies or spuriouscoins. Such rejected coins are removed from the device and returned tothe purchaser by depressing rod 56. Coin separators and slug rejectorsare well known to the art, and therefore the specific details form nopart of this invention. However, devices which can be used in carryingout this invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,292,678 and No.2,975,880.

The totalizer 96 has selected paths for coins'which, in passingtherethrough, function to release a trip mechanism that imparts astepped rotation to a rotatable element. The rotatable element isadvanced a predetermined rotational amount in proportion to the coindeposited. Thus, by way of example, the rotatable element will advance 9for each nickel deposited, 18

for each dime deposited, and 45 for each quarter deposited. Here again,the specific details of the totalizer form no' part of this invention,as any totalizer known to the art can be used for carrying out theinvention.- By way of specific example, totalizers which can be used incarrying out this invention are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.2,993,58l, No. 3,155,213 and No. 3,186,532.

The coin separator 94 is positioned in housing 92 above totalizer 96. Achute 100 (FIGS. 2 and 5) is mounted below coin slot 58 and on top ofcoin separator 94. Coins deposited in the coin slot will pass throughchute 100 into the coin separator and slug rejector 94. The coinseparator and slug rejector will then mechanically and magneticallydetermine whether the coins are spurious: and willthen sort the coinsaccording to value. The coins of value will then pass into the totalizer96 where they will be registered by incrementally rotating the totalizershaft in accordance with the value of the coins. Spurious coins areretained in slug rejector 94, and are released from the slug rejector bydepressing rod 56, thereby returning the coins to the customer throughcoin return slot 62 (FIG. 1).

Referring to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, it is seen that the totalizer 96 includesa shaft which terminates in a square hub 102. I-Iub 102 is provided withan internally threaded bore 104. A disc 106 having a central bore 108with a square cross section is mounted on hub 102.

Disc 106 has indicia 110 engraved on the surface thereon. Four equallyspaced conical nibs 112 project from the front surface of disc 106. Acylindrical hub '1 14 surrounds bore 108. v

A second disc 116 is mounted on the, front face of disc 106. As seen in-FIG. 9, this is accomplished 'by placing a leaf spring 118 against theouter surface of disc 116 and inserting a screw 120 through discs 116and 106 and into threaded bore 104. A washer 122 is associated with thescrew 120.

Disc 116 includes an annular rim 124. A notch 126 is formed in disc 116and rim 124. A central opening 128 is formed in disc 116 and acylindrical hub- 130 surrounds opening 128 and projects inwardly onthedisc. An annular flange 132 projects inwardly from hub 130.

A ring 134 is formed on the rear side ofdisc 116. Ring 134 is providedwith teeth 136 around its entire circumference. Teeth 136 have the samedimensions as nibs 112 on disc 106. As seen in FIG. 9, in the assembledcondition of disc 106 and 116, nibs 112 are received between fouradjacent pairs of teeth 136.

Leaf spring 118 includes a vertical center portion 138 and a pair offlared legs 140 extending therefrom. A turned-up lip 142 is formed atthe end of each of the legs 140. As seen in FIG. 7, four nibs 144 areformed on the outer surface of disc 116. The nibs 144 are arranged inpairs of opposite sides of each leg 140, and serve to prevent rotationalmovement of spring 118 relative to the face of disc 1 16.

As best seen in FIG. 9, the resilient force of spring 118 holds discs116 and 118 in their abutting relation and maintains the securement ofdisc 106 on hub 102 of the totalizer shaft. As will be explainedhereinafter, the disc 116 serves as a price disc for the vendingoperation, and the price at which the bags will be vended is regulatedby rotating disc 116 relative to disc 106 to vary the position of notch126. Whenever it is desired to move the disc 116 relative to disc 106,disc 116 is pulled in the direction of arrow 146 in FIG. 9 until nibs112 are disengaged from teeth 136. Thereafter, the disc 116 can berotated to change the position of notch 126, and returned to theposition shown in FIG. 9. The spring l18will then retain the disc 1 16in its new position.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a U-shaped bracket 148 is secured on the frontface of housing 92. Bracket 148 includes an opening 150 in each of thelegs thereof. A second U-shaped bracket 152 is welded to the inside faceof front plate 46 of housing 24. A pin 154 projects upwardly from eachleg of bracket 152. Housing 92 is mounted on bracket 152 by engagingpins 154 in openings 150. The housing 92 is stabilized within housing 94by passing coin return rod 56 through top plate 48 of housing 24 and bythe insertion of stud 88 in an opening in the rear of housing 92.

A coin box 156 (FIG. 5) is positioned beneath the totalizer 96. Allcoins of value which are deposited and retained by the totalizer areeventually deposited in coin box 156 after vending has taken place. Whenit is desired to remove the money from housing 24, gate 64 is opened,and the coin box can be slid from the housing 24, and then replacedafter it has been emptied.

The coin box is mounted on a slide plate 158 (FIG. 5) and a trackway isprovided by bars 160 on the slide plate. The direction of movement ofthe coin box is indicated by arrows 162 in FIG. 5. The coin box isprotected against theft by the use of lock 66.

A bag metering plate 164 is positioned at the bottom of housing 24, andprojects through a slot 166 in bottom housing wall 52. The bag meteringplate includes a notch 168 at the bottom thereof, which notch is equalin width to diameter of the bail handle of the bag adapted to bedispensed by the vending machine. Plate 164 projects into slot 44 formedin the upper portion 42 of shaft 26.

As seen in FIG. 5, a rod 170 passes horizontally between a pair ofbrackets 172 mounted on the bottom wall 52 of housing 24. As seen inFIGS. 2 and 3, plate 164 is is. rotatably mounted on rod 170. A roller174 (FIG. 5) is rotatably mounted on plate 164 by pin 176.

A bar 178 is mounted on housing 92 by a screw 180 and associated washers182 (FIG. 5). Bar 178 includes a vertically extending slot 184 throughwhich screw 180 passes. Bar 178 includes an upper flange 186 (FIG. 6)that is received in an upper opening 188 in housing 92.

As seen in FIG. 6, an L-shaped bar 190 is secured on the underside offlange 186. A rod 192 is welded to the vertical leg of bar 190. Rod 192includes a bowed portion 194 which acts as a cam, as will be explainedhereinafter. A tension spring 196 has one end secured to bar 190 and theother end secured to rivet 198 which is mounted on the inside face ofhousing 92. Spring 196 serves to maintain bar 178 in the position shownin FIGS. 2 and 6.

-As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 6, a U-shaped bracket 200 is secured on theinside face of housing 92 by a'pair of screws 202. A pair of openings204 and 206 is formed in housing 92. The legs of bracket 200 projectthrough openings 204 and 206, as best seen in FIG. 2.

A plate 208 is secured on the upper leg of bracket 200. A verticallyextending slot is formed in plate 208, and a plate 210 is secured in theslot through the use of a T-shaped head 212 on plate 210. Accordingly,plate 210 is prevented from rotating about plate 208 by the engagementof the plate within the vertical slot. However, the plate 210 can pivotabout the vertical axis of the slot, as indicated by the arrow 214 inFIG. 6.

Plate 210 includes a flange 216 which abuts the lower leg of bracket200. A wire 218 having fingers 220, 222 and 224 projecting horizontallytherefrom is secured on flange 216 by screw 226 and an associatedwasher.

As will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, when bar 178 israised, bar 190 will be raised therewith. This in turn raises rod 192,as indicated by arrow 228 in FIG. 6. The raising of rod 192 will in turnengage the bowed portion 194 with the wall of a slot 230 in flange 232which projects from the top edge of plate 210. The bowed portion willmove plate 210 outwardly in the direction of arrow 214. This will inturn cause the insertion of fingers 220, 222 and 224 into associatedholes 234, 236 and 238 in slug rejector 94. When the bar 178 is againlowered, the bowed portion 194 will again act as a cam within slot 230and return the plate 210 to the position shown in FIG. 6.

An inclined plate 240 is mounted at the base of bar 178. Plate 240serves as a cam track for roller 174 which is rotatably mounted on plate164. Accordingly, as plate 164 is rotated about rod in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, the roller 174 willride along the underside of plate 240, thereby raising bar 178, as seenin FIG. 3.

A plate 242 (FIGS. 2 and 3) is mounted on bar 178 by the engagement ofpins 244 in a pair of vertical slots 246 in the bar. A stud 248 issecured to bar 242 at the bottom thereof. A spring 250 has one endsecured in a flange 252 of plate 242 and the other end secured on a stud254 projecting from bar 178. Spring 250 urges plate 242 upwardly wherebythe pins 244 are received at the top of slots 246.

As seen in FIG. 5, one face of housing 92 includes a dependent verticalplate 256. A bar 258 is'pivotally linked to plate 256 by a rivet 260(FIG. 2). A flange 262 projects from plate 258 through opening 264 inplate 256. An L-shaped bar 266 having a flange 268 is secured to plate256 adjacent opening 264.

A pin 270 is secured to bar 258 and projects through opening 264. AnL-shaped bar 272 is secured to pin 270 on the rear face of bar 258 (FIG.5). The upper horizontal leg of bar 272 passes through opening 274 (FIG.2) in plate 256, and includes an upstanding flange 276. Flange 276 ispivotally linked to bar 278 (FIG. 2) by pin 280.

Bar 278 is pivotally mounted on plate 256 by pin 282. An arm 284 ispivotally mounted on bar 278 by pin 286. Arm 284 includes a flange 288,which serves as a feeler finger, as will be explained hereinafter. Atension spring 290 connects arm 284 and bar 278, thereby urging arm 284in a counterclockwise direction around pin 286, as viewed in FIG. 2. Aflange 292 projects outwardly from arm 278, thereby serving as a stopagainst the rotational movement of arm 284 relative to bar 278.

A cam plate 294 is pivotally mounted on metering plate 164 by a pin 296(FIGS. 2 and 5). A pin 298 is secured in plate 164 and passes through anarcuate slot 300 in cam plate 294. A hair spring 302 has its centralportion wrapped around pin 296, has one end secured in a hole 304 in camplate 294 and the other end secured to pin 298. As seen in FIG. 2, hairspring 302 urges cam plate 294 in a counterclockwise direction aroundpin 296 relative to plate 164.

A bar 306 is pivotally mounted on housing 92 by pin 308. A slot 310 isformed in bar 306. A pin 312 projects from totalizer 96 through slot310. Pin 312 is movable within track 314 of the totalizer. The purposeof pin 312 is to reset the totalizer whenever vending has taken place.

The device of this'invention is used for storing and dispensing shoppingbags having bail handles. A plurality of the bags is shown at 316 inFIG. 1. The bags 316 are stacked on base 28 of device 20, and the bailhandles 318 are placed over shaft 26.

The bags are loaded on shaft 26 by first unlocking lock 60 in order toremove finger 70 (FIG. 3) from opening 72 in flange 34. After the fingerhas been removed, housing 24 can be slid upwardly, thereby removing bagmetering plate 164 from slot 44. The housing is slid to a verticalposition above bracket 74. With the housing in this position, plate 76is pushed forwardly to the position shown at 76' in FIG. 3. Thereafter,the housing 24 can be slid down the flanges 34 until the bottom wall 52rests on bar 76. With the housing in this position, a load of bags 316can be placed on the device by passing the bail handles 318 over the top42 of shaft 26 and resting the bags on the base 28.

When it is desired to purchase a bag, the preset amount of money isdeposited in coin slot 58. a

Thereafter, the uppermost bag 316 is lifted ofi' the stack of bags. Asseen in FIG. 2, a single handle 318 can enter notch 168 in bag meteringplate 164. The notch, in combination with shaft 26 and slot 44 in theshaft, serves to meter the dispensing of bags, whereby only a single bagcan be dispensed each time money is inserted into the device. It is notpossible to get more than one bail handle into notch 168, while at thesame time permitting the pivoting of plate 164.

After the handle 318 has entered the notch, pressure is applied againstthe handle by pulling the bag 316. This rotates plate 164 in acounterclockwise direction around rod 170 to the position shown in FIG.4. If an insufficient amount of money has been deposited in the coinslot, the plate 164 will be stopped from any further rotation, andvending will not be able to take place. However, if the proper presetamount of money has been inserted, then plate 164 will continue torotate from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG.3. At this point, the handle 318 is free of the lock formed by notch168, slot 44 and shaft 26, and can be removed from the device. As soon.as the bag has been removed, the plate 164 will immediately be returnedto the position shown in FIG. 2.

The pricing operation of the machine will now be leading edge of thenotch must be a the 7 oclock position before vending can take place.

By way of example, the device of this invention can be used by having$0.05 increments on the totalizer 96 rotate the totalizer shaft 102 9 ina clockwise direction. Teeth 134 are accordingly spaced on 9 centers.Disc 116 is freely rotatable around screw 120, whereas disc 106 issecured in place on shaft 102; Accordingly, the change in pricing forthe vending machine is made by rotating disc 116 relative to disc 106.Once a preset position has been made, this position will be maintainedby the engagement of nibs -1 12 in teeth 136 and by the pressure ofspring 118 against disc 116.

The price disc 116 can be set to vend bags at any price. Utilizing the 9increment totalizer 96 for $0.05 increments, the device of thisinvention can be used for dispensing bags at any price between $0.05 and$1.50. The price disc 116 is set in place when the totalizer 96 is inits normal retracted position, with no money recorded thereon. The discis set by pulling it outwardly against the urging of spring 118 androtating the disc to the required position. The required position isdetermined by aligning the pointer 320 (FIGS. 2-and 3) of disc 116 withthe indicia 110 on disc 106. Referring to FIG. 8, the indicia 110 is setto vary the price of the bags in $0.05 increments. Accordingly, byaligning the pointer 320 with the numbers of the indicia, the bag willbe dispensed after the totalizer has rotated five 9 increments, which isequivalent to $0.25.

The setting for the price disc 116 is easily understood by reference tothe stepped rotation of the totalizer. Thus, for every nickel deposited,the totalizer shaft will rotate 9 from its at rest position. Each 9rotation of the totalizer shaft will in turn rotate disc 106 9, and inturn rotate disc 1 16 9 since the disc 1 16 is keyed to the disc 106.After 45 of rotation has taken place, the leading edge of the notch 126will be rotated slightly beyond the lowermost point on the disc' 116. Atthis point, the flangeor finger 288 can enter notch 126, and

vending can take place.

The $0.25 sum which has been preset for disc l16in the example shown canbe arrived at from any-combination of nickels, dimes or a quarter. Thus,if a dime is inserted into the machine, totalizer 96 will have its shaftrotated 18. Likewise, the shaft will be rotated 45 for every quarterdeposited.- In this way, the price that has been preset for the disc 116can he arrived at through any combination of nickels, dimes and quarterswhich total the preset price. Again, by way of example, if the pointer320 has been aligned with 15, indicating that the bag should bedispensed at this sum can be arrived at by depositing three quarters, ortwo quarters, two dimes and a nickel, or one quarter and five dimes,etc.

The device can also be arranged to dispense bags wherein each 9 ofrotation of the totalizer shaft will be equivalent to $0.10.Accordingly, of the pointer 320 is aligned with the number 5, this meansthat the totalizer must go through five 9 increments of rotation, whichwould be equivalent to $0.50. The pointer is calibrated in such a waythat it insures the proper rotation of the shaft 102 of the totalizer 96for the amount aligned with the pointer. Actually, the disc is alignedin such a way that the rim 124 will be contacting the finger 288 until asufficient amount of money has been inserted to permit the finger 288 toenter notch 126.

By way of specific example, assuming that disc 116 has been set topermit the vending of a bag 316 at $0.25, and it is desired to purchasea bag, then the purchaser will insert $0.25 into coin chute 58. Aspointed out above, the $0.25 can be deposited in any combination ofnickels or dimes, or a quarter can be deposited. After the $0.25 in coinhas been deposited,

the disc 106 and 116 will be rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewedin FIG. 3, a distance of 45, thereby positioning the notch 126 directlyabove finger 288.

After the money has been deposited, the uppermost bag 316 in the stackof bags is pulled up shaft 26 until the bail 318 enters the notch 168,as shown in FIG. 2. Continued pressure on the bag rotates the plate 164to the position shown in FIG. 4. As the plate 164 is rotating, cam 294is rotating therewith. The upper edge 322 (FIG. 2) of cam 294 is rotatedinto contact with stud 270. Continued rotation of plate 164 will causethe raising of stud 270 by the upper edge 322 of cam 294. Inthis'connection, it should be noted that hair spring 302 is sufficientlystrong to prevent the depressing of the spring by the pressure of stud270 on the cam 294.

Again referring to FIG. 2, it is seen that as pressure is broughtagainst stud 270 by the upper edge 322 of cam 294, the plate 258 onwhich the stud is mounted will pivot in a clockwise direction aroundrivet 260. The pivoting of the plate 258 will in turn cause the liftingof bar 272. This will in turn cause the rotation of bar 278 around rivet282.

Still referring to FIG. 2, it is seen that as the bar 278 is rotatedaround rivet 282, the arm 284 is lifted vertically. Again, it should berecalled that although there is a spring tension on arm 284 rotating thearm toward bar 278, the arm 284 is maintained in the position shown inFIG. 2 by the abuttment of the am against flange 292. As the arm 284 israised, finger 288 will enter notch 126, as shown in FIG. 3. This causesthe pivoting of bar 258 to its highest possible position.

Referring again to FIG. 2, it is seen that a lock for the vendingoperation is provided by flange 262 and edge 324 of bag metering plate164. Thus, when plate 164 is rotated, edge 324 will normally be rotatedinto contact with flange 262. This contact occurs when the plate 164 hasbeen rotated to the position shown in FIG. 4. Accordingly, if contact ismade between the edge 324 and flange 262 on bar 258, vending cannot takeplace. When the pressure is released on bag 316, plate 164 will bereturned to the position shown in FIG. 2. However, when the properpreset amount of money has been inserted into the vending machine, asdescribed above, finger 288 will enter notch 126, thereby permitting thefull raising of bar 258, and thereby lifting flange 262 out of the pathof edge 324. This permits the full rotation of the plate 164 to theposition shown in FIG. 3, whereby a bag can be dispensed. Afterdispensing has taken place, the plate 164 is automati cally returned tothe position shown in FIG. 2, and the totalizer shaft is returned to itsat-rest position, with no money accumulated thereon.

By way of further example, assuming the price disc 116 has been set tovend bags at $.25, in the manner shown in FIG. 2. However, in thisexample, only $0.20 has been deposited by the purchaser. Here again, thepurchaser will pull the uppermost bag, thereby rotating plate 164 to theposition shown at FIG. 4. The rotation of the plate will again bring theupper edge 322 of cam 294 into contact with stud 270. This will in turncause the raising of bar 272 and the ultimate raising of arm 284. Inthis example, the price disc will only be rotated to the position shownin FIG. 2 wherein the leading edge of notch 126 is 9 in acounterclockwise direction away from its vending position. In this case,finger 288 will not enter the notch 126, but instead will contact therim 124 of price disc 116. This in turn prevents the raising of bar 258to its highest position, which is shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the edge324 of plate 164 will contact flange 262 of bar 258. This locks themachine, and vending cannot take place.

If the customer desires to continue with the purchase of the bag, anadditional $0.05 will have to be inserted. This will rotate the pricedisc 116 to the position shown in FIG. 3, thereby permitting thedispensing of the bag.

The price mechanism includes a number of mechanical features whichprevent damage to the mechanism in the event of mistreatment by theprospective purchaser. One of these features includes the use of thespring loaded cam 294. Thus, again referring to FIG. 2, as plate 164 isrotated the upper edge of the cam 322 comes in contact with stud 270.Hair spring 302 is sufficiently strong to permit the lifting of stud 270and the bars associated therewith. However, if the finger 288 comes incontact with the price disc 116, thereby preventing further lifting ofthe arm 284, the edge 322 of cam 294 will ride under stud 270, therebyrotating the cam in a clockwise direction around pin 296. This isaccomplished by compressing spring 302 and the sliding of the camthrough its slot 300 around pin 298. When edge 324 of plate 164 abutsflange 262, the cam 294 will already have been rotated.

If the rotatable cam 294 were not provided, the locking mechanism wouldoccur through a direct linkage between plate 164 and finger 288. If thecustomer pulled a bag 316 with a great deal of force, this would causethe banging of the finger 288 into the rim 124 of disc 116. This, inturn, could cause the breaking or severe damage of the finger or theprice disc. However, by providing the resiliently mounted cam 294, onlya slight amount of pressure is applied against the finger 288. Thispressure is sufficient to lift the finger, but is insufficient to causeany damage to the finger.

Another mechanical safety feature is the provision of L-shaped bar 266with its unitary flange 268. As seen in FIG. 2, the leading edge offlange 268 is positioned adjacent the back surface of flange 262. Whenthe bar flange 268 by the abusive treatment of the machine.

Thus, if a bag 316 is pulled with a great deal of force when there isinsufficient money in the machine to cause the opening of the lockformed by flange 262 and edge 324, the edge 324 will bang into theflange 262. This will in turn cause a momentary stretching or bending ofbar 258 and its associated flange 262, and a temporary stress on rivet260. However, when this occurs, the flange 262 will contact the leadingedge of flange 268, thereby preventing any undue damage to the bar 258,its flange 262 or rivet 260.

Another mechanical feature of the device of this invention is that thenotch 126 is sufficiently large to permit vending of the bags if morethan the required amount of money is inserted. Thus, so long as thepreset amount of money has been inserted, the vending can take place.For instance, if the device has been preset to vend at $0.25 and $0.30was inadvertently deposited by the customer, the notch would stilloverlie finger 288, thereby permitting vending. If this were not done,the machine would jam if more than the required amount of money were putin and vending could not take place.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, if the customer shouldover-deposit money, then the excess could be returned by a sales personin the store. However, the sales person need make no adjustments to themachine. An alternative method of handling the money would be to have anescrow bucket positioned under totalizer 96 and above the cash box 156.Utilizing such an escrow bucket, which buckets are well known to theart, the money would not pass into the cash box until vending tookplace. If the customer over-inserted money, the money in the escrowbucket could be returned by pushing the coin return rod 56.

The device of this invention will normally be used over a substantialperiod of time to vend bags at the same price. Accordingly, each time asupply of bags has been used up, all that is necessary is to unlock thehousing 24, slide it vertically upward, support the housing on the bar76, and place a new supply of bags over shaft 26. Thereafter, thehousing is again dropped down to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 andagain locked in place.

Periodically, however, it may be desired to vend bags at a differentprice. When this is to be done, housing 24 is unlocked and thencompletely removed from flanges 34. Screws 86 are then removed and backplate 84 is removed. In this connection it should be recalled that thescrews 86 are positioned in front of flanges 34, and the back plateaccordingly cannot be removed unless the entire housing is removed byopening lock 60.

After the back plate has been removed, coin return rod 56 is pushed intohousing 24 and the slug rejector and totalizer housing 92 is removed bylifting the same off pins 154 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The housing 92 can thenbe completely removed from housing 24 and placed on a table. At thispoint, price disc 116 can be readjusted for the new price by pulling itoutwardly against the urging of spring 118 and reseating the disc withthe pointer 320 aligned with the new price increment shown at 110. Forinstance, if the new price is to be $0.35, pointer 320 will be alignedwith the seventh line of indicia'110. In order to accomplish vending, aminimum of seven stepped rotations of the totalizer shaft must takeplace by the inserting of coins totaling As pointed out above, once thenew price has been set, the price disc 1 16 is held rigidly against disc106 by i the engagement of nibs 112 in teeth 136 and by the pressure ofspring 118. The housing 92 is then replaced in housing 24 by depressingcoin return rod 56 and placing pins 154 in holes of bracket 148. Thecoin return rod is then permitted to pass through its hole in the topwall 48 of housing 24. The coin return rod 56 is spring urged to theposition shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The alignment of housing 92 ismaintained by the insertion of stud 88 on back plate 84 into a holeformed in housing 92. The back plate 84 is then screwed in place, thehousing 24 is returned to the position shown in FIG. 3 and lock 60 isagain closed. At this point, the device is again ready for vending, onlythe price will now be set at $0.35.

Bar 178 serves the dual function of preventing the jamming of thetotalizer and resetting the totalizer after vending has taken place. Inthis connection, it is seen by reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 that whenplate 164 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction by the pulling of abag 316, roller 174 on plate 164 will contact inclined cam track 240.This causes the raising of bar 178 which is secured to the track 240.The engagement of pin 180 in slot 184 insures the vertical movement ofthe bar 178. Referring now to FIG. 6, it isseen that as thebar 178 israised, bar will be raised therewith. This in turn will raise rod 192 inthe direction of arrow 228. i The raising of rod 192 will in turn causethe engagement of bowed portion 194 in slot 230 of plate 210. This inturn will rotate plate 210 in the direction of arrow 214, therebycausing the insertion of fingers 220, 222 and 224 in associated holes234, 236 and 238, respectively, of coin separator and slug rejector94.When this occurs, any coins which are deposited in coin chute 58 can nolonger pass into the totalizer, but are instead diverted to the coinreturn slots whereby they will return to the customer through slot 62(FIG.

The reason for having the bar 178 cause the diverting of coins is thatwhen a bag 316 is pulled moving cam plate 294 into contact with stud270, the finger 288 will be brought in contact with price disc 116. Ifinsufficient money has been deposited in the device, the finger 288-will resiliently hold the rim of the price disc 116, thereby preventingany further rotation'of the price disc. Accordingly, if the customerpulls on a bag while at the same time depositing money, the money wouldnot register on the totalizer shaft since the shaft is being preventedfrom rotation by the engagement of finger 288 on price disc 116. The netresult would be that the totalizer could become jammed.

Having the locking out of all coin chutes by the bar- 178 prevents anyfurther money from being registered on the totalizer if the price disc116 has been jammed by the customer's pulling on a bag 316 prior to thedeposit of sufficient money. The customer will soon realize that nomatter how much money is put in when the bag is held tight, vending willstill not take place since the money is automatically returned to thecustomer. Therefore, the customer will then have to release the pressureon the bag until such time as the proper amount of money has beeninserted in coin chute 56. Thereafter, vending can take place.

It should also be noted that once a sufficient amount of money to permitvending has been deposited, the bar 178 will have no effect on thevending operation. Thus, even though the fingers will block the coinslots within the coin separator 94, no further coins need be depositedsince the proper amount of money has already been deposited.Accordingly, vending will take place in the manner described above.

Bar 178 also serves the function of returning the bag metering plate 164to its at-rest position, which is shown in FIG. 2. Thus, wheneverpressure is removed from a bag 316, or when vending has taken place, bar178 is returned to the position shown in FIG. 2 under the urging ofspring 196. During the downward movement of the bar 178 from theposition shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 2, cam track 240will apply a downward pressure against roller 174 on plate 164. Thiswill in turn rotate the plate 164 back to its atrest position.

Another function of the bar 178 is to reset the totalizer after vendinghas taken place. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, it is seen that the pin 312is movable within slot 314 of the totalizer 316. The pin 312 is thereset pin for the totalizer which brings the totalizer shaft back to itsat-rest position with no money accumulated thereon. Here again, when theplate 164 is rotated, bar 178 will be raised. This brings stud 248 intocontact with reset bar 306. If insufficient money to permit-vending hasbeen placed in the device, the amount of lifting of the bar 178 islimited because the rotational movement of plate 164 is limited by theabuttment of edge 324 against flange 262. At this point, pin 312 will beonly slightly moved within track 314 by the rotation of bar 306.However, the bar 178 will insure the locking out of the coin slotsbecause the bar 178 can move relative to stud 248.

In this connection, it is seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 that stud 248 isslidably mounted on bar 178 by the provi-' sion of plate 242. Thus, pins244 project from the plate and are received in slots 246 in the bar 178.Spring 250 maintains the pins at the tops of the slots. As the bar israised when there is insufficient money within the totalizer, stud 248will contact the bottom of bar 306. The bar 178 will continue to raise,and the locked bar 306 will depress stud 248 vertically downward,thereby moving the pins 244 within slots. 246 vertically downward. Thisprevents the jamming of the bar 178 or damage to the reset mechanism inthe event that insufficient money has been deposited.

If the bag metering plate 164 goes through a full stroke operation tothe position shown in FIG. 3, bar 306 will be rotated a sufficientamount to move the reset pin 312 to the bottom of track 314, therebyresetting the totalizer 96. The bar is permitted to continue its upwardmovement by the sliding of pins 244 in slots 246, as seen in FIG. 3.Thus, spring 250 has sufficient strength to cause the resetting of thetotalizer, while at the same time it is sufficiently lax to permit thebar 178 to move upwardly without damaging the reset mechanism in theevent that insufficient money has been deposited in the device.

When the totalizer 96 has been reset, all money that has beenmechanically accumulated thereon is eliminated. This is caused by therotation of the totalizer shaft 102 back to its at-rest position. Thisin turn causes the rotation of the price disc 116 back to its atrestposition. In order to avoid any jamming of the totalizer and the pricedisc when the totalizer is cleared, arm 284 is pivotally linked to bar278 by pin 286. Thus, as seen in FIG. 3, when the price disc 116 isrotated in a counterclockwise direction by the clearing of the totalizerwhen vending has taken place, the left edge of notch 126 will contactfinger 288, and cam the finger out of the notch 126. The tension onspring 290 issufficiently lax to permit this to occur easily.

Having the pivotally mounted arm 284 insures that there cannot be doublevending of shopping bags for each deposit of money. Thus, it might havebeen possible for a customer to rotate plate 164 back to an at-restposition and pull a second bag through quickly enough to have themultiple vending because the totalizer could not reset in sufficienttime to prevent the same. This could possibly occur if the finger 288were jammed within the notch 126. However, having the pivotally mountedarm 284 prevents any such jamming since the totalizer will automaticallycam the finger 288 out of the notch 126 when the totalizer is reset. Thespring 290 will again return the arm 284 to the position shown in FIG. 2for the next vending cycle.

It is thus seen that the device of this invention will mechanically vendshopping bags at varying preset prices. The bags can be dispensed usingany combination of coins. The device is completely mechanical inoperation, and it is unnecessary to locate the device at a source ofelectrical current. Various safety devices are included to prevent abuseby the customer and to prevent the customer from losing his money due tofaulty operation of the device.

In this connection, attention is again called to the fact that if theprice disc 116 is jammed by pulling on a bag prior to inserting thepredetermined amount of money, no further coins can be deposited in thedevice. The notch configuration 168 along with slot 44 and shaft 26permits the vending of only a single bag each time the money isdeposited. This is readily apparent from viewing FIGS. 2 and 4. Thus,only a single bail 318 can be accommodated in notch 168 when the plate164 is rotated through slot 44. The device is easily loaded by slidingthe housing 24 upwardly on flanges 34 and retaining the same in place bybar 76. The deposited cash can be removed without lifting the housing 24merely by opening the locked gate 64 (FIG. 1).

Any coins of improper demomination or spurious coins are automaticallyreturned to the customer through coin return slot 62. Insofar as thespurious coins are concerned, they will usually be held magneticallywithin the slug rejector 94. These coins are returned by pushing coinreturn rod 56. The coins which are deposited in the coin chute 58 afterthe fingers have been engaged in holes 234, 236 and 238 are alsoautomatically returned to the customer through slot 62.

The device of this invention is usable with all types of shopping bags.The bags can have a single bail handle 318, or can have a double bailhandle. The size of the notch 168 can be varied to suit the needs of theuser in connection with the particular bags being vended. The device isparticularly adapted for use with plastic shopping bags havingornamental designs printed thereon. Bags of this type are attractive inappearance, are reusable, and will cost more than the $0.05 or $0.10paper bags now on the market. For this reason, the device of thisinvention is particularly useful since these bags can be vended at anyprice ranging from $0.05 to $1.50. If the bags are going to be moreexpensive, the totalizer can be used to have stepped increments of $0.10for each incremental rotation.

The device of this invention is also useful for vending commodities thatare supportable by bail handles. Thus, the commodities can be placed inclear plastic bags which are sealed by bail handles at the top thereof.These commodities can the be self-vended in the manner described abovein connection with the shopping bags.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate myinvention that others may, by applyin g current or future knowledge,readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

What is claimed as the invention is:

l. A bag vending machine comprising a frame, means on said frame forsupporting a plurality of bags, metering means for permitting thedispensing of individual bags, coin controlled lock means forcontrolling said metering means, adjustable price means associated withsaid lock means, coin responsive means for mechanically indicating thetotal amount of money deposited in said vending machine, lock controlmeans associated with said coin responsive means, feeler meansassociated with said metering means, said feeler means adapted tocontact said lock control means when said metering means is actuated,said feeler means in combination with said lock control means permittingthe opening of said lock means only after a predetermined amount ofmoney has been deposited in said vending machine, and said meteringmeans being adapted to actuate said feeler means whereby the amount ofmoney to permit the dispensing of an individual bag can be adjusted.

2. The vending machine of claim 1 wherein said bags have bail handles,and said bags are secured on said frame by said bail handles.

3. The vending machine of claim 2 and further including a shaftsupported by said frame, said bags being supported on said shaft bypassing said shaft through said bail handles, said metering meanscomprising a plate and said shaft having a slot formed therein with saidplate being received in said slot.

4. The vending machine of claim 3 wherein said plate has a notch formedtherein, said notch being of a size to accommodate a single bail handle,with vending taking place by the rotation of said plate within said slotwith a bail handle received within said notch.

5. The vending machine of claim 1 wherein said lock control meansincludes said adjustable price means.

6. The vending machine of claim 5 wherein said adjustable price meanscomprises a disc, said disc having a notch formed in the circumferencethereof, said price being adjustable by varying the location of saidnotch, said disc being rotatable in proportion to the amount of moneydeposited in said vending machine, and said lock means being opened whensaid feeler means enters said notch, g

7. The vending machine of claim 1 wherein sa d lock means comprises alatch, said latch being movable from its locking position after saidpredetermined amount of money has been deposited in said vendingmachine.

8. The vending machine of claim 7 wherein said feeler means isassociated with a pivotable arm, and said latch is pivotally mounted,with linking means connecting said arm and said latch, whereby thepivoting of said arm will pivot said latch in order to remove said latchfrom a locking position.

9. The vending machine of claim 1 and further including means forlocking said lock means after said bag has been dispensed.

10. The vending machine of claim 1 wherein the attempted removal of anindividual bag actuates said me'-. tering means, said metering means inturn actuating means to prevent the collection of money by said vendingmachine whenever said metering means is actuated.

11. A bag vending machine comprising a frame, a shaft secured on saidframe, a plate associated with said shaft for metering the dispensing ofindividual bags, said plate being pivotally mounted relative to saidshaft, lock means associated with said plate for limiting the rotationalmovement of said plate, lock control means which permit the opening ofsaid lock means only after a predetermined amount of money has beendeposited in said vending machine and feeler means actuated by saidplate, said feeler means adapted to contact said lock control means,said feeler means in combination with said lock control means permittingthe opening of said lock means after said predetermined amount of moneyhas been deposited in said vending machine.

12. The vending machine of claim 11 wherein said lock control meanscomprises a disc, said disc having a notch formed in the circumferencethereof, said disc being rotatable in proportion to the amount of moneydeposited in said vending machine, and said lock means being opened whensaid feeler means enters said notch.

13. The vending machine of claim 11 wherein said lock comprises a latch,said latch being movable from its locking position after saidpredetermined amount of money has been deposited in said vendingmachine.

14. The vending machine of claim 13 wherein said feeler means isassociated with a pivotable. arm, and said latch is pivotally mounted,with linking means connecting said arm and said latch, whereby thepivoting of said arm will pivot said latch in order to remove said latchfrom a locking position.

15. The vending machine of claim 11 wherein said plate has meansassociated therewith for moving said feeler means into contact with saidlock control means.

16. The vending machine of claim 15 wherein said moving means comprisesa cam pivotally mounted on said plate, said cam additionally beingresiliently mounted on said plate whereby said cam can be rotatedagainst the urging of said spring when said feeler means is moved intocontact withsaid lock control means.

17. The vending machine of claim 11 and'further including means forpreventing the acceptance of further money by said vending machinewhenever said metering plate has been pivoted.

1. A bag vending machine comprising a frame, means on said frame forsupporting a plurality of bags, metering means for permitting thedispensing of individual bags, coin controlled lock means forcontrolling said metering means, adjustable price means associated withsaid lock means, coin responsive means for mechanically indicating thetotal amount of money deposited in said vending machine, lock controlmeans associated with said coin responsive means, feeler meansassociated with said metering means, said feeler means adapted tocontact said lock control means when said metering means is actuated,said feeler means in combination with said lock control means permittingthe opening of said lock means only after a predetermined amount ofmoney has been deposited in said vending machine, and said meteringmeans being adapted to actuate said feeler means whereby the amount ofmoney to permit the dispensing of an individual bag can be adjusted. 2.The vending machine of claim 1 wherein said bags have bail handles, andsaid bags are secured on said frame by said bail handles.
 3. The vendingmachine of claim 2 and further including a shaft supported by saidframe, said bags being supported on said shaft by passing said shaftthrough said bail handles, said metering means comprising a plate andsaid shaft having a slot formed therein with said plate being receivedin said slot.
 4. The vending machine of claim 3 wherein said plate has anotch formed therein, said notch being of a size to accommodate a singlebail handle, with vending taking place by the rotation of said platewithin said slot with a bail handle received within said notch.
 5. Thevending machine of claim 1 wherein said lock control means includes saidadjustable price means.
 6. The vending machine of claim 5 wherein saidadjustable price means Comprises a disc, said disc having a notch formedin the circumference thereof, said price being adjustable by varying thelocation of said notch, said disc being rotatable in proportion to theamount of money deposited in said vending machine, and said lock meansbeing opened when said feeler means enters said notch.
 7. The vendingmachine of claim 1 wherein said lock means comprises a latch, said latchbeing movable from its locking position after said predetermined amountof money has been deposited in said vending machine.
 8. The vendingmachine of claim 7 wherein said feeler means is associated with apivotable arm, and said latch is pivotally mounted, with linking meansconnecting said arm and said latch, whereby the pivoting of said armwill pivot said latch in order to remove said latch from a lockingposition.
 9. The vending machine of claim 1 and further including meansfor locking said lock means after said bag has been dispensed.
 10. Thevending machine of claim 1 wherein the attempted removal of anindividual bag actuates said metering means, said metering means in turnactuating means to prevent the collection of money by said vendingmachine whenever said metering means is actuated.
 11. A bag vendingmachine comprising a frame, a shaft secured on said frame, a plateassociated with said shaft for metering the dispensing of individualbags, said plate being pivotally mounted relative to said shaft, lockmeans associated with said plate for limiting the rotational movement ofsaid plate, lock control means which permit the opening of said lockmeans only after a predetermined amount of money has been deposited insaid vending machine and feeler means actuated by said plate, saidfeeler means adapted to contact said lock control means, said feelermeans in combination with said lock control means permitting the openingof said lock means after said predetermined amount of money has beendeposited in said vending machine.
 12. The vending machine of claim 11wherein said lock control means comprises a disc, said disc having anotch formed in the circumference thereof, said disc being rotatable inproportion to the amount of money deposited in said vending machine, andsaid lock means being opened when said feeler means enters said notch.13. The vending machine of claim 11 wherein said lock comprises a latch,said latch being movable from its locking position after saidpredetermined amount of money has been deposited in said vendingmachine.
 14. The vending machine of claim 13 wherein said feeler meansis associated with a pivotable arm, and said latch is pivotally mounted,with linking means connecting said arm and said latch, whereby thepivoting of said arm will pivot said latch in order to remove said latchfrom a locking position.
 15. The vending machine of claim 11 whereinsaid plate has means associated therewith for moving said feeler meansinto contact with said lock control means.
 16. The vending machine ofclaim 15 wherein said moving means comprises a cam pivotally mounted onsaid plate, said cam additionally being resiliently mounted on saidplate whereby said cam can be rotated against the urging of said springwhen said feeler means is moved into contact with said lock controlmeans.
 17. The vending machine of claim 11 and further including meansfor preventing the acceptance of further money by said vending machinewhenever said metering plate has been pivoted.